Using DSNs to create data connections to Apache Drill and Dremio
Some data connectors require a DSN on your computer to create or edit a connection. From the DSN, Spotfire imports the connection string information about how to connect to the data source.
About this task
You only have to use the DSN when you first create the connection, or if you want to update the connection.
What is a DSN
About this task
A DSN (Data Source Name) is an object, which you set up on your computer, that stores information about how to connect to an external data source. It stores details such as the location of the data source, the authentication method, and which driver to use. When you create or update a Spotfire connection to these data sources, Spotfire imports all this information from the DSN and saves it in the connection (as part of the connection data source object).
For in-depth information about DSNs, refer to official documentation from Microsoft.
What DSNs are supported?
About this task
| Type | Description |
|---|---|
| DSN types |
|
| Authentication types | Make sure you configure your DSN with an authentication type that is supported for that data source in Spotfire. |
Creating a DSN to use with Spotfire in Windows
About this task
To set up a DSN on your computer, you use the ODBC Data Source Administrator in Windows, and the ODBC driver provided by your data source vendor.
Before you begin
- To be able to create or edit DSNs on your computer, your Windows user must have administrative privileges.
- Make sure you have all the information required for connecting to your data source, such as server name, authentication method, and user credentials.
Procedure
Results
Updating a Spotfire connection to include new changes to a DSN
About this task
When you create a connection from a DSN, all the required connection information is imported from the selected DSN, and it is saved in the Spotfire connection (as part of the connection data source object). This enables you to use the connection to analyze data in Spotfire on other computers, without being required to have the same DSN set up on those computers too.
The import of connection information from a DSN to your Spotfire connection is a one-time import. If you make any changes to the DSN that you also want to include in your Spotfire connection, you must update the Spotfire connection to import the latest connection information from the DSN.
Updating a connection in an analysis with new DSN information
Procedure
- On the menu bar, select Data > Data connection properties.
- In the Data Connection Properties dialog, click to select the connection you want to update, and then click Settings.
- In the Data Connection Settings dialog, on Data Source tab, click Settings.
- In the Data Source Settings dialog, on the Login tab, click Edit.
- In the Connection dialog, click to select the DSN that you want to import new connection information from. If required, enter the credentials in the Username and Password fields.
- To import new connection information from the selected DSN, click Connect.
- To save your changes, click OK to close each dialog and return to your analysis.